Electricity generation from power stations drops to 25-year low

In the last quarter of a century, the UK has grown by eight million people and our reliance on technology has become an accepted norm. But, despite more people plugging in than ever before, electricity generation from power plants in 2018 was on a par with 1994.

Carbon Brief, which analysed government and industry data, found that 335 terawatt-hours were generated by power stations last year, bringing the level to a 25-year low, the Guardian reports.

Generation has been on the decline since 2008 – levelling between 2015 and 2017 before resuming its downward trajectory in 2018.

Commenting on the findings, Simon Evans, policy editor at Carbon Brief, said: “It could be a combination of more efficient appliances, energy-saving light bulbs and, more recently, LEDs. Then there’s supermarkets installing better fridges, industry using more efficient pumps. Across all of those businesses, efficiency will have been going up. And of course there’s the changing nature of industry in the UK.”

Evans also felt that the financial crisis also played a part in encouraging homes and businesses to be more conservative with their energy use from 2008 onwards.

Last year also proved to be the greenest year to date for electricity generation, with renewables supplying a record 33.4% of national power, according to separate data from the National Grid. Renewables provided just 6.7% of the power back in 2009.

As we reported in a previous blog, a sun-filled late summer helped renewables increase its share of national power, while a number of new wind farms and biomass plants were newly connected to the grid in 2018.

On the flipside, coal-driven output was down 25%, nuclear power generation dropped by 8% and gas fell by 4%.

The data makes us optimistic about a greener future for the UK. If you’re serious about significantly reducing your energy overheads, radically reducing your carbon footprint and meeting your green agenda targets in 2019, check out Zestec’s energy solutions. Contact the team today on 01202 862760 or by emailing info@zestecgroup.co.uk.